Epileptic seizures and spirit possession in Haitian culture: report of four cases and review of the literature.

Epileptic seizures have historically been associated with religious beliefs in spirit possession. These attitudes and misconceptions about epilepsy still flourish in developing countries as byproducts of specific sociocultural environments. This article presents a case series of four Haitian patients with epilepsy whose seizures were initially attributed to Voodoo spirit possession. All patients reported ictal experiential phenomena (epigastric aura, ictal fear, depersonalization, and derealization symptoms) followed by complete loss of consciousness. Electroclinical investigations revealed a temporal lobe focus. We review the existing literature on attitudes toward seizures within the Haitian culture and discuss the link between religion and epilepsy, highlighting the possible detrimental influence of specific traditional belief systems on the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients with epilepsy.

A novel HLA allele, B*4104, identified in a cord blood donor.

Results from a number of HLA typing methods prompted the DNA sequencing (SBT) of a cord blood sample at the HLA-B locus. A novel HLA-B allele, B*4104, was identified. This was confirmed by sequencing the mother of the cord blood unit for HLA-B.

Multiresidue method for determination of organophosphorus pesticides in vegetables.

A multiresidue method for the analysis of 14 organophosphorus pesticides has been developed for the rapid control of residues in vegetables before processing. The residues were extracted in ethyl acetate; the extracts were dried, purified using an Extrelut 20 column and, after concentration, analysed by gas chromatography with a nitrogen phosphorus detector. Recoveries performed in asparagus, beans, French beans, spinach, peas and zucchini at three fortification levels were over 77% for all pesticides except dementon-S-methyl (70%) and omethoate (52%).

Residues of fenthion and trichloron in olives and olive oil after olive tree treatments.

The residue levels of trichlorfon, fenthion and its metabolites were determined in olives, olive oil and vegetation water after treatment of olive trees at different times before harvest. The highest residues of fenthion were detected in oil, while the highest level of trichlorfon was found in vegetation water. The time gap between treatment and harvest strongly influences the residue levels of fenthion in olives and olive products. The levels of fenthion, which were lower than the maximum residue level (MRL) established by the Italian regulations, were obtained only when the treatment was carried out 60 days before harvest, so it may be necessary to use the insecticide trichlorfon 30 or 10 days before harvest since it leaves low residue levels in oils.

Determination of fenthion and its oxidative metabolites in olives and olive oil: errors caused by matrix effects.

A method for determination of fenthion residues and its oxidative metabolites (fenoxon, fenthion sulphoxide, fenthion sulphone, fenoxon sulphoxide, fenoxon sulphone) in olive pulp, oil and water obtained from olive pressing is described and evaluated. Recoveries for the improved gas chromatographic conditions were: 92-104% for fenthion, fenoxon, fenthion sulphone and fenoxon sulphone in the olive pulp matrix, whereas the mean recovery values for fenthion sulphoxide and fenoxon sulphoxide were respectively 140% and 118%. In the vegetation water matrix, the recoveries for fenthion, fenthion sulphoxide, fenoxon sulphoxide and fenoxon sulphone averaged between 91% and 103%. Higher values were obtained for fenoxon (139%) and for fenthion sulphone (115%). Recoveries for all metabolites in the oil matrix averaged between 100% and 104%. Detection limits ranged between 0.005 ng for fenthion to 0.02 ng for fenoxon sulphoxide and fenoxon sulphone. Three different gas chromatographic conditions are presented in order to underline how their choice could strongly affect the result because of the matrix effect on the gas chromatographic response. In some cases such an effect can increase the instrumental response up to three times the real value.

A clinically significant anti-HLA-A2 detectable by extended incubation cytotoxicity and flow cytometric techniques but not by a standard NIH lymphocytotoxicity test.

A previously transfused female patient, known to have a platelet defect, was transfused with platelets prior to surgery. After the 18th unit she felt unwell, developed fever, rigor, became nauseous, and vomited. Her blood pressure decreased from 140/90 to 80/50 mm Hg. Passive transfer of donor granulocytes or red cell antibodies were excluded as a cause. Therefore, a serum sample from the patient was investigated for the presence of antibodies to human leukocyte antigens (HLA) using a standard National Institutes of Health (NIH) lymphocytotoxicity test, but antibodies were not detected. However, an extended incubation cytotoxicity test demonstrated the presence of an anti-HLA-A2, and indirect immunofluorescence flow cytometry showed the presence of an IgG1 antibody reacting with 50 percent of cells in a random pool of lymphocytes. One week later, multispecific HLA antibodies were detectable by both NIH and extended incubation cytotoxicity tests. Flow cytometry showed a 16-fold increase in the amount of IgG antibodies and the appearance of an IgM component. Such clinically important HLA antibodies can be detected by extended incubation cytotoxicity and flow cytometric assays prior to becoming reactive in a standard NIH cytotoxicity technique.